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It seems fitting that the golden arches finally will rise in the nearest market to the home of Big Mac inventor, Fox Chapel resident Jim Delligatti.

McDonald's, the fast food icon beloved for its quarter pounders and golden fries, is set to open this summer at The Waterworks, along Freeport Road.

It will be built on the site of the former Kings restaurant, which closed last fall after 29 years.

“We've been trying to get in this market for 25 years,” said Chuck Hallstein, vice-president of M & J Management, which owns several Pittsburgh-area McDonald's.

“There hasn't been any room. We're really excited.”

Following a groundbreaking at 10 a.m. April 4, crews will raze the vacant Kings building to make way for a contemporary arcade design building, complete with a dual-lane drive through.

Owned by Delligatti's son, Michael, the new restaurant is expected to create more than 60 permanent jobs in the Lower Valley.

It will be among 21 McDonalds that are owned by M&J Management, a three-generation family business and franchise organization for more than 55 years.

Kerry Ford of Stern Advertising said the new site will be environmentally friendly and feature high-top booths that are preferred by younger guests.

Across the globe, McDonalds operates more than 34,000 restaurants in 110 countries.

Hallstein said officials are excited to make a presence in the local community, and, he believes residents will be “lovin' it.”

“The only thing we've heard so far is, ‘How come it's taken you so long?” he said.

A grand opening is expected by mid-June.

Tawnya Panizzi is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-782-2121, ext. 2 or at tpanizzi@tribweb.com.

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